Caravan Found with Explosives Linked to Anti-Semitic Threats in Sydney
A caravan containing explosives and a note referencing a Jewish synagogue was found in Sydney's north. The owner was already in custody for unrelated offences. NSW Police continue their investigation amidst public concern over anti-Semitic threats.
The owner of a caravan discovered with explosives and a note containing the address of a Jewish synagogue in Sydney's north was already in custody for unrelated matters when the vehicle was found.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson confirmed that the registered owner was in custody for offences being investigated by Taskforce Pearl, which focuses on anti-Semitic attacks.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that “no stone will be left unturned” in the efforts to apprehend those responsible for the incident.
“NSW Police are doing everything possible to catch these people,” he emphasised, calling for public assistance in reporting any pertinent information.
A resident in Dural made the shocking discovery on January 19. The caravan was initially spotted parked next to a cemetery in December, and concerned locals eventually towed it onto their property, where it remained for weeks until the resident was able to unlock it.
Inside, they found explosives and notes referencing a Jewish synagogue. Police indicated that the Powergel explosives could have been stolen from a mining site and had the capacity to create a blast wave of up to 40m if detonated. Fortunately, no detonator was located within the caravan.
Premier Minns defended the delayed public announcement of the incident, which he described as “very disturbing” and “utterly appalling”. A media leak prompted the decision to disclose the information publicly.
Mr Hudson expressed dissatisfaction regarding the leak, citing that multiple agencies were involved in the investigation.
On January 20, Mr Minns was briefed about the incident, while Prime Minister Albanese has faced scrutiny regarding the timing of his briefings.
During discussions about the incident, the Prime Minister condemned it as an act of terrorism and acknowledged the important role of security agencies in safeguarding public safety.
In response to the discovery, Mr Albanese condemned the act and stated it would be investigated by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team. He emphasised that hate and extremism are unacceptable in Australian society.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described the incident as “sickening” and called for increased security for the Jewish community, highlighting the need for transparency regarding what the government knew about the incident.
Police indicated that they had brought in more than 100 officers for the investigation and made arrests related to the case. They have requested information from the public regarding the location of the caravan from December to January. Strike Force Pearl was formed in December 2024 to tackle the increase in anti-Semitic attacks, and authorities believe there are connections between the caravan and several previous incidents.
